Tanzania’s agricultural exports are gaining strong traction in China, offering hope for farmers and boosting the country’s foreign earnings, officials and trade experts have said.
The growth comes as China continues to expand its demand for high-quality farm produce from Africa. Products such as cashew nuts, coffee, sesame, avocados, and spices have become particularly attractive to Chinese buyers.
According to the Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade), the volume of Tanzanian agricultural goods entering the Chinese market has more than doubled in the past three years.
Improved trade agreements, direct marketing efforts, and partnerships with Chinese companies have made it easier for Tanzanian produce to reach supermarkets and food processors in major Chinese cities.
“This is a big opportunity for Tanzanian farmers,” said an official from the Ministry of Agriculture. “China is a market of more than one billion consumers, and demand for organic and tropical products is growing fast.”
Farmers in regions such as Mtwara, Kilimanjaro, Njombe, and Mbeya are already seeing the benefits. Exporters say Chinese buyers are willing to pay premium prices, especially for products that meet international quality standards. This has encouraged more farmers to invest in modern farming methods, packaging, and certification.
The Tanzanian government has been working to strengthen agricultural ties with China through bilateral agreements and participation in trade fairs such as the China International Import Expo (CIIE).
Officials also revealed plans to introduce a special agricultural export promotion strategy targeting Asian markets, with China as the main focus.
Despite the progress, experts warn that Tanzanian farmers must overcome challenges such as limited storage facilities, inconsistent quality, high logistics costs, and slow adoption of technology. Addressing these barriers will be crucial for sustaining growth in the Chinese
Economists note that stronger agricultural exports to China will not only benefit farmers but also help Tanzania reduce its trade deficit, create jobs, and attract new investments in agribusiness and food processing.
“This momentum must be maintained,” said a trade analyst. “If Tanzania continues to build trust with Chinese buyers, it could become one of Africa’s leading suppliers of agricultural products to Asia.”
